Apparatus, method, and system for protecting a heel

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and apparatus, the apparatus including, in some embodiments, an elongate member of protective material having a width corresponding to a circumference of a heel and a height corresponding to a height of the heel, and a plurality of joints formed in the elongate member, each joint provided to form an angled juncture in the elongate member such that the elongate member correlates to a shape of the heel and protects the circumference and height of the heel.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a heel protector. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus, method, and system for protecting a heel of a shoe that may be caused by objects coming into contact with areas of the heel other than the area intended to contact a walking surface.

Heels of shoes, including women's shoes of the pump, stiletto, and other fashion styles, may typically represent a major investment. For example, a person may own a number of pairs of shoes in a variety of styles and/or colors. Accordingly, a shoe owner may want to protect their shoes from premature or unnecessary damage since shoes provide an aesthetic as well as a functional purpose. A common problem encountered by a number of shoe owners is the occurrence of scratches and other blemishes caused by, for example, a crack in a walkway and other errant objects, which may come into contact with the heel. It is not uncommon for a heel to have a number of scratches on the surface thereof. The scratches may range in size and severity from a relatively small scratch to a substantial gouge.

Therefore, there exists a need to provide an apparatus and method of easily, conveniently, and efficiently protecting a heel of a shoe from potentially damaging objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary illustration of a shoe having a heel;

FIG. 2A is an end view of an exemplary illustration of a heel, according to some embodiments herein;

FIG. 2B is an end view of an exemplary illustration of another heel, according to some embodiments herein;

FIG. 2C is an end view of an exemplary illustration of yet another heel, according to some embodiments herein;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration of an apparatus, in accordance with some embodiments herein;

FIG. 4A is an exemplary illustration of an apparatus, in accordance with some embodiments herein;

FIG. 4B is an exemplary illustration of another apparatus, in accordance with some embodiments herein;

FIG. 4C is an exemplary illustration of a further apparatus, in accordance with some embodiments herein; and

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow chart of a method, in accordance with some embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The several embodiments described herein are solely for the purpose of illustration. Embodiments may include any currently or hereafter-known versions of the elements described herein. Therefore, persons skilled in the art will recognize from this description that other embodiments may be practiced with various modifications and alterations.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a shoe 100 having an exemplary heel 105 in accordance with some embodiments herein. Shoe 100 has a heel 105 that attaches to and extends from the shoe. That is, heel 105 includes at least a portion that is fully exposed and accessible (i.e., 360°). As illustrated, heel 105 includes an area of damage 110. Area of damage may range from a surface blemish (e.g., a surface scratch or paint/color transfer from another object) to damage that penetrates the surface of the heel (e.g., a gouge into the heel). Regardless of the extent and severity of area of damage 110, the area of damage typically detracts from the overall aesthetic appeal of heel 105 and shoe 100.

It should be appreciated that heel 105 may encompass a variety of heights and shapes, including those known and/or popular as well as those not yet known and/or obscure.

FIGS. 2A-2C each depict an end-view of an exemplary heel of a shoe. In FIG. 2A, heel 200 has a substantially circular shape. In FIG. 2B, heel 205 has a substantially rectangular shape (e.g., rounded corner rectangle). FIG. 2C is a depiction of a heel 210 that is substantially “D-shaped”.

It is noted that FIGS. 2A-2C are not intended to be an exhaustive depiction of the shapes and sizes of heels that may be accommodated and used in accordance with some of the embodiments apparatuses, methods, and systems herein. Accordingly, heels of various shapes and sizes, including those not explicitly shown herein, may be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary depiction of an apparatus 300 in accordance with some embodiments herein. Apparatus 300 includes an elongate member of protective material 305. Elongate member 305 may also include a number of joints 320, 325, 330 formed in the elongate member. Elongate member 305 may be configured to form an angled juncture (i.e., a bend) at one or more of the joints 320, 325, 330. In some embodiments, the plurality of joints 320, 325, 330 may be formed by at least one of a score, a perforation, a reduction in material, a void, a difference in composition of the elongate member of protective material, and combinations thereof.

Elongate member 305 has a width 315 and a height 310. In some embodiments, width 315 is sized to correspond to a circumference of a heel. In some embodiments, height 310 is sized to correspond to a height of a heel. The exact dimensions of height 310 and width 315 are, in some embodiments, sized to cover less than a full height and/or less than a full circumference of a heel, respectively. In this manner, apparatus 300 may provide a mechanism for protecting at least a portion of a heel.

Apparatus 300 may be placed or fixed around an outside surface of a heel to provide a measure of protection to the heel. The joints in the elongate member may be located to correspond to and accommodate placing apparatus 300 on and around the heel. By way of example, joints 320, 325, 330 or additional/fewer joints may be formed in elongate member 305 to facilitate placing apparatus 300 on the outer surface of a heel in a close, fittingly relationship. For example, a plurality of joints may be formed in elongate 300 member to fit the elongate member around heels 200, 205, 210, and heels of other shapes and sizes.

The exact dimensions of height 310 and width 315 are, in some embodiments, sized to cover no more than a full height and/or no more than a full circumference of a heel, respectively. Accordingly, apparatus 300 may avoid covering a surface of the heel (e.g., 105) or shoe (e.g., 100) other than the heel. For instance, apparatus 300 may be sized to avoid covering walking surface 115 that is intended to come into contact with a walking surface. Further, apparatus 300 may be sized to avoid covering portions of a shoe other than the heel. For example in reference to FIG. 1, apparatus 300 may be sized to avoid covering areas 120 and 125 of shoe 100.

Heels that may be accommodated by an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure include heels such as those listed in the following table 1.

TABLE 1 APPARATUS APPARATUS HEEL HEIGHT HEIGHT WIDTH   4 Inches 1 Inch 1.25 Inches (Stiletto Heel) 3.5 Inches 1 Inch 1.50 Inches (Stiletto Heel) 3.0 Inches 1 Inch 1.25 Inches (Spike Heel) 2.5 Inches 1 Inch  2.0 Inches (Standard Pump Heel) 2.0 Inches 0.5 Inch   2.25 Inches (Standard Pump Heel) 1.5 Inches 0.5 Inch   2.75 Inches (Thick Heel)

It is noted that Table 1 includes an illustrative sampling of heel and apparatus sizes. It should be appreciated that heels, and apparatuses having heights and widths other than those listed in Table 1 may be used, in accordance with embodiments herein.

FIGS. 4A-4C are exemplary illustrations of an apparatus configured to fit heels of different shapes, in accordance herewith. FIG. 4A shows apparatus 405 that is configured to accommodate a substantially circular heel. Apparatus 405 has ends 420 and 425 at the ends of the elongate member thereof. FIG. 4B shows an apparatus 410 configured to accommodate a substantially rectangular heel. Apparatus 410 includes an elongate member that is shaped as shown and terminates at ends 430 and 435. FIG. 4C shows an apparatus 415 configured to accommodate a substantially D-shaped heel. Apparatus 415 includes an elongate member that is shaped as shown and terminates at ends 440 and 440.

Regarding FIGS. 4A-4C and other embodiments not specifically shown, the opening formed between terminal ends of an apparatus (e.g., 420, 425; 430, 435; 440, 445) in accordance with the present disclosure may be positioned at a location other than that explicitly shown in the figures.

It should be appreciated that the size and shape of an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure may vary to fit and accommodate heels of various shapes and sizes, including those not specifically disclosed in the examples provided herein. For example, a shoe having a “wedge” type of heel may be accommodated by an apparatus that is substantially U-shaped (not shown). As distinguished from FIG. 4B, the terminal ends of such an apparatus would form a wider opening than that shown in FIG. 4B, to accommodate the “wedge” heel.

In some embodiments, an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure may be customized by a user. Customization may include the user trimming or otherwise shaping the apparatus to a particular final size and configuration. In this manner, the apparatus may be customized to suit individual user needs. It is noted that a user herein may refer to a shoe owner and/or wearer, a shoe merchant, a salesperson, and other entities associated with shoes.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method 500 in accordance herewith for protecting a heel of a shoe. At a first operation 505, an elongate member of elongate member of protective material having a width corresponding to a circumference of a heel and a height corresponding to a height o the heel.

At operation 510, angled junctures are formed at each of a plurality of joints in the elongate member to configure the elongate member into a shape of the heel. In some embodiments, the forming of the angled junctures (i.e., bends) may be accomplished during a manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the forming of the angled junctures may be accomplished by a user at a time of application and use by the user.

At operation 515, the elongate member is attached to an outer surface area of the heel to protect the circumference and height of the heel. As noted hereinabove, the dimensions of the elongate member are sized to correspond to an area of the heel to be protected.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary depiction of a shoe 600 having an apparatus 610 applied to a heel 605. Due to the width and height of the protective material of elongate member comprising apparatus 610, apparatus 610 covers an area of heel 605. The area of heel 605 covered by the elongate member 610 may thus be protected from being directly contacted and damaged by other objects.

In FIG. 6, for purposes of clarity in the drawings, apparatus 610 is shown in a slightly spaced apart relation with heel 605. In practice, apparatus 610 may be attached to heel 605 such that apparatus 610 is in direct contact with the heel.

In some embodiments, the elongate member of protective material comprising the apparatus herein may be resilient and capable of retaining or returning to its pre-formed shape. The composition of the elongate member may include a number and variety of materials, including but not limited to, plastics including synthetic or semi-synthetic polymerization products. In some embodiments, the elongate member of protective material may be substantially translucent to permit light therethrough, thereby allowing a view of the heel, including the color of same, through the apparatus. In some embodiments, the elongate member of protective material may be tinted or otherwise colored, including a coloration to match a particular heel color.

In some embodiments, an elongate member of protective material may be attached to a base. The base may comprise a carrier for the protective material. The base may be larger, smaller or have a size similar to the protective material.

In some embodiments, a system including a shoe having a heel extending from a bottom surface of the shoe, an elongate member of protective material having a width corresponding to a circumference of the heel and a height corresponding to a height of the heel, and a plurality of joints formed in the elongate member, each provided to form an angled juncture in the elongate member such that the elongate member correlates to a shape of the heel to protect the circumference and height of the heel. For example, a system may include shoe and apparatus in accordance with some embodiments herein that are packaged and marketed for sale as a unit.

The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope set forth in the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus for protecting a heel of a shoe, comprising: an elongate member of protective material having a width corresponding to a circumference of the heel and a height corresponding to a height of the heel; and a plurality of joints formed in the elongate member, each provided to form an angled juncture in the elongate member such that the elongate member correlates to a shape of the heel to protect the circumference and height of the heel.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective material is substantially translucent.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective material is colored.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of joints are formed by at least one of the following: a score, a perforation, a reduction in material, a void, a difference in composition material, and combinations thereof.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of joints, in combination with each other, configure the apparatus in a pre-formed shape.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pre-formed shape is one of the shapes selected from the group consisting of: D-shaped, circular, angular, and square.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective material is attached to a base material having a similar shape as the protective material.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective material is resilient.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fastener attached to a surface of the elongate member to affix the elongate member to the heel.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the elongate member affixed to the heel does not cover a bottom surface of the heel intended to contact a walking surface.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fastener is an adhesive.
 12. A method, comprising: providing an elongate member of protective material having a width corresponding to a circumference of a heel and a height corresponding to a height of the heel; forming an angled juncture at each of a plurality of joints in the elongate member, to configure the elongate member to a shape of the heel; and attaching the elongate member to an outer surface area of the heel to protect the circumference and height of the heel.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the protective material is substantially translucent.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of joints are formed by at least one of the following: a score, a perforation, a reduction in material, a void, a difference in composition material, and combinations thereof.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of joints, in combination with each other, configure the apparatus in a pre-formed shape.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the pre-formed shape is one of the shapes selected from the group consisting of: D-shaped, circular, angular, and square.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the elongate member attached to the heel does not cover a bottom surface of the heel intended to contact a walking surface.
 18. A system, comprising: a shoe having a heel extending from a bottom surface of the shoe; an elongate member of protective material having a width corresponding to a circumference of the heel and a height corresponding to a height of the heel; and a plurality of joints formed in the elongate member, each provided to form an angled juncture in the elongate member such that the elongate member correlates to a shape of the heel to protect the circumference and height of the heel.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of joints are formed by at least one of the following: a score, a perforation, a reduction in material, a void, a difference in composition material, and combinations thereof. 